>>> OUR SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF CASES CONTINUES TO DECLINE.

AT 2,172, WHICH IS A 70% DECREASE SINCE LAST MONTH.

AND THE LOWEST NUMBER THAT WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP OFFERS THE LATEST UPDATES ON VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN THE STATE.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS.

SEVERAL ELECTION BILLS MOVED FORWARD TODAY AT THE CAPITOL WITH SOME CHANGES INVOLVING IDENTIFYING ABSENTEE VOTERS.

AND ON OTHER BILLS A HOUSE VOTE ON A BILL TO GIVE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ACCESS TO INMATE RECORDS.

AND MOVEMENT ON A BILL TO IMPOSE FINES ON MOTORISTS WHO DON'T MOVE OVER FOR A BICYCLIS.

THE CITIZENS ARREST LAW AND THE SAVE GIRLS SPORTS BILL.

FIRST OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE LATEST ON SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

BREND BRENDA, YOU BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR.

RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

A LOT OF WAS OUTLINED TODAY.

GOVERNOR KEMP SAID THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF COVID CASES CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN THE STATE.

AND THAT MASS VACCINATION SITES WILL OPEN NEXT WEEK.

>> STARTING MONDAY FEBRUARY 22nd FOUR STATE-OPERATED MASS VACCINATION SITES WILL BE OPERATIONAL ACROSS OUR STATE.

TO SPEAR HEAD OR EFFORTS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE AMONG MINORITY COMMUNITIES, ALL FOUR SITES WILL BE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED TO ENSURE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THOSE UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

THESE SITES WILL BE LOCATED IN ALBANY, MACON, HAVRSEM COUNTY AND ALSO THE DELTA FLIGHT MUSIC AT HEARTSVILLE JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE WEBSITE MYVACCINEGEORGIA.COM IS NOW LIVE.

IT IS READY FOR YOU TO LOG IN AND PREREGISTER IF YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VACCINATION AS PART OF PHASE 1 A PLUS.

>> THE BAD NEWS THIS WEEK IS THE STORMS.

SO THE VACCINE WE ANTICIPATED THIS WEEK IS DELAYED.

>>> THE PROJECTED VACCINE NUMBERS FOR THE STATE LOOK LIKE THIS.

1100 VACCINES PER SITE PER DAY.

22,000 TOTAL VACCINES PER WEEK.

HOUSE BILL 16 WOULD ALLOW DAs TO HAVE ACCESS TO INMATE RECORDS TO EVALUATE THEIR BEHAVIOR WHILE THEY ARE BEHIND BARS, WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY DETERMINE IF THEY SHOULD BE GRANTED EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JESSE PETRI WHO SPONSORED THE BILL TOLD SEVERAL COMPELLING STORIES TO WHY THIS BILL SHOULD PASS.

>> BACK IN 2016 IN SAVANNAH, WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL BY THE NAME OF TOREY SCOTT, WHO WAS PATROLLED EARLY AND RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AND SET OUT ON A MISSION, SADLY, TO DO AS MUCH CASUAL CALAMITY AS HE COULD IN OUR COMMUNITY.

HE RAPED TWO YOUNG LADIES AT SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE SUBSEQUENTLY KIDNAPPED A NURSE IN THE CANDLER HOSPITAL PARLIAMENT IN SAVANNAH, RAPED HER.

ACTUALLY ATTEMPTED TO KILL HER BUT SHE ESCAPED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE PETRI SAID HIS BILL WOULD NOT CONSIDER ALL THOSE INMATES FOR PAROLE JUST THOSE BE VIOLENT CRIMES AND OFFENSES ESPECIALLY THOSE AGAINST CHILDREN.

REPRESENTATIVE JOSH McLAUREN SAYS HOUSE BILL 168 DOES NOT COVER ALL OF THE BASES.

>> THIS IS ONE TINY APPEARANCE OF A BAND AID.

IT IS NOT EVEN A REAL BAND AID BECAUSE THE LEGAL EFFECT IS STILL IN QUESTION BUT IT EXISTS WITHIN A LARGER BROADER CONTEXT OF FAILURES BY THE DOC AND FRANKLY BY US, WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO EXERCISE OVERSIGHT OVER THIS DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS IN CUSTODY.

>> THE BILL PASSED 99-66.

>>> REPRESENTATIVE McLAUREN VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

ALSO ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, HOUSE BILL 353, CLARIFIES HOW DRIVERS PASSING BICYCLISTS SHOULD MANEUVER LANE CHANGES.

>> THE FIRST PART OF THE BILL PROVIDES CLARITY IN TERMS OF YOUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A THREE FOOT PASSING RULE AROUND A BIKE AND ALLOWS YOU, WITH CAUTION AND IF IT IS SAFE TO CROSS THE YELLOW LINE THE SECOND PIECE OF THAT BILL, THE PART OF THE LANGUAGE SPEAKS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU CANNOT PASS SAFELY.

>> THE BILL PASSED 16 4-2.

FAILING TO FOLLOW THE LAW COULD COST A FINE OF $250.

SENATE BILL 46 PASSED IN THE SENATE TODAY.

THIS ONE WAS REQUESTEDPY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND DR. KATHLEEN TOOMEY AND HER STAFF.

>> THIS BILL DOES NOT MANDATE NOR REQUIRE THAT ANYONE GET A COVID-19 SHOT.

IT DOES DO THIS.

>> IT CODIFIES PHARMACISTS BEING ABLE TO GIVE THE COVID VACCINE.

AND I'VE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHICH PHARMACISTS.

AND IT IS BASICALLY ANY PHARMACIST THAT APPLIES FOR IT.

I IT ALSO CODIFIES WHAT WE CALL GRITS IS THE SYSTEM THAT STATE ISSUES FOR PROBABLY TWO DECADES OR MORE TO ACTUALLY ACT AS A REGISTRY FOR VACCINATIONS SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET A CARD ANYMORE.

>> THIS BILL ONLY COVERS VACCINE DISTRIBUTION DUE TO A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

>>> NEW RULES FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT PAPER APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROPOSED BY SENATOR LARRY WALKER III.

THIS MORNING IN THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE SENATOR WALKER PRESENTED SENATE BILL 67 TO HELP VERIFY A VOTERS' IDENTITY.

>> IDENTIFYING SOMEBODY REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND WE'RE ELIMINATING THE SIGNATURE MATCH REQUIREMENT.

WE'RE GOING IDENTIFY THE VOTER BASED ON THEIR GEORGIA STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER AND THEIR DATE OF BIRTH OR THEIR STATE-ISSUED ID NUMBER AND THEIR DATE OF BIRTH.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN IT AS A PARTISAN ISSUE.

I JUST THINK IT IS AN EFFICIENCY ISSUE.

>> THE BILL DOES NOT CHANGE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION FOR THE ACTUAL ABSENTEE BALLOT.

SENATE BILL 67 PASSED OUT OF THAT COMMITTEE AND SO DID SENATE BILL 40 WITH AN AMENDMENT BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE COUNTIES TO BEGIN PROCESSING ABSENTEE BALLOTS EARLY ON THE SECOND MONDAY PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.

>>> REPRESENTATIVE BARRY FLEMING, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY INTRODUCED HOUSE BILL 531 IN COMMITTEE.

THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION PACKAGE THAT MAKES CHANGES TO EARLY VOTING, ABSENTEE VOTING AND HOW ELECTIONS ARE RUN.

DISCUSSION CONTINUES ABOUT THIS BILL TOMORROW.

AND I LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH WITH THIS FUNNY MOMENT FROM THE HOUSE CHAMBERS TODAY DURING MORNING ORDER.

REPRESENTATIVE CASEY CARPENTER RECOGNIZED RAPPER DR. DRE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

HE CALLED IT HIS PERSONAL SHOUT OUT.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THIS HOUSE, ON THIS DAY IN BLACK HISTORY IN 1965 ANDRE YOUNG WAS BORN IN COMPTON, CALIFORNIA.

DR. DRE IS CONSIDERED BY MANY AS THE FOUNDER OF THE WEST COAST RAP SCENE.

>> WE HAVE NUMEROUS REQUESTS THAT YOU JUST PICK OUT A FEW LINES FROM TWO OR THREE OF THESE ARTISTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> SO LET ME WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE WILD WILD WEST.

>> WELL, WHO KNEW?

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> I EXPECTED YOU TO RAP TO, BRENDA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> TRYING TO KEEP MY JOB, DONNA.

I'M TRY TO BE KEEP -- >> GOOD WAY TO END THE WEEK FOR THE LAWMAKERS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> WELL MONDAY MARKED THE HALFWAY POINT MORE THE 40-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

A GOOD TIME TO ASSESS WHERE THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW.

INCLUDING MAJOR LEGISLATION IN THE WORKS AND JOINING ME ARE MAYA PRABU WHEN THE THE ATLANTA GENERAL CONSTITUTION, GLAD TO HAVE HER HERE AND JEFF AMY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE WITH ME TODAY.

NOBODY IS RAPPING AT THIS POINT?

NOBODY WANTS TO CONTINUE?

OKAY.

LET'S START WITH SOMETHING ELSE THEN.

LET'S START WITH THE ISSUE OF SPORTS BETTING.

I CAUGHT UP WITH THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE RON STEVENS EARLIER TODAY TO TALK ABOUT HOUSE BILL 86.

>> IT IS IN COMMITTEE.

WE BROUGHT IT BACK.

WE WANTED TO CHANGE THE TAX RATE FOR SPORTS BETTING AND THERE WAS ANOTHER ISSUE OR TWO WE NEEDED TO JUST CLARIFY.

SO RATHER THAN TRY TO AMEND IT ON THE FLOOR WE WANTED TO GET IT BACK AND GET IT EXACTLY RIGHT.

SO LOT OF INTEREST AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR A VOTE UP TO THE HOUSE PROBABLY MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK IF I HAD TO GUESS.

THE BILL SHOULD BE PERFECTED I HOPE THIS AFTERNOON.

BUT RATHER THAN HAVE A COMMITTEE MEETING AND SEND IT OUT AND STILL TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE STUFF WE'RE GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE -- IN FACT WE'VE GOT A COMMITTEE SET UP FOR MONDAY.

WE'LL HAVE IT VOTED OUT AGAIN AND READY FOR THE FLOOR HOPEFULLY BY MIDWEEK.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING IN TERMS OF THE LEARN, THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER LEADERS?

>> YOU KNOW, NOBODY'S EXPRESSED AN OPINION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I THINK THE ONE THING THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH, EITHER FOR OUR AGAINST IS THIS IS REVENUE THAT WE ARE LOSING, IN AN ACTIVITY THAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING TODAY.

SO ESSENTIALLY A NO VOTE WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY A VOTE NOT TO CAPTURE ABOUT $30 MILLION INTO THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

>> YEAH.

BUNCH OF CRITICS SAY ONLINE SPORTS BETTING NEEDS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT STILL.

STILL INASSISTANT ON THAT AND GOING TO THE VOTERS.

>> THERE IS OPINIONS BOTH WAYS.

I'VE GOT A THREE PAGE OPINION LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL TO DROP THE BILL, DRAFTED THE BILL FOR US AND THERE IS OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES.

EVERYTHING IS CONSTITUTIONAL OF COURSE UNTIL IT IS CHALLENGED.

>> UNTIL THERE IS A LEGAL CHALLENGE WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT SPORTS BETTING?

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS ISSUED OPINION SAYING THAT THIS CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE GEORGIA LOTTERY WITHOUT REQUIRING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

WHICH YOU KNOW IS A HIGHER THRESHOLD.

IT REQUIRES THREE -- TWO-THIRDS OF EACH CHAMBER TO GET OUT OF THE CHAMBER AND TO MAKE IT ONTO THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO CHOOSE.

WHEN IT IS JUST A BILL AND NOT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, YOU JUST NEED 50% PLUS ONE IN EACH CHAMBER SO IT IS A MUCH LOWER THRESHOLD.

BUT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 2019 ISSUED AN OPINION SAYING THAT IT DID NEAT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

SO I GUESS IT JUST REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

AND IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW IF THERE IS A CHALLENGE.

>> YOU COVERED THE SENATE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES ARE THERE?

>> I THINK AT THE 50%, I THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE.

I THINK SOMETHING WITH THE TWO-THIRDS.

I THINK THAT WAS MUCH MORE -- A MUCH HEAVIER LIFT.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A REASON WHY THESE BILLS HAVEN'T MADE IT TO THE FLOOR.

THEY OFTEN GET OUT OF COMMITTEE AND LANGUISH IN RULE AND NEVER MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE COUNTING VOTES KNOW THAT THERE AREN'T TWO-THIRDS TO SUPPORT IT.

WE'VE HAD TURNOVER BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH THAT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON SOMETHING LIKE CASINOS OR HORSE RACING.

I THINK THAT IS A HEAVIER LIFT IN THE SENATE.

BUT SOMETHING LIKE SPORTS BETTING A AS BILL, I THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR IT.

AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT OF SOME FORM OF ALLOWING SOME FORM OF LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING.

RALSTON HAS HINTED THAT HE'S SUPPORTIVED AS WELL.

SO I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE THIS BILL COULD PASS AND THEN IT JUS BECOMES A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT IT STANDS UP IN COURT.

>> SO I TALK ULTIMATELY ABOUT OVERALL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON NOT ONLY SPORTS BETTING BUT OVERALL WITH GAMBLING.

AND THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY EARLIER TODAY.

>> THAT BILL ESSENTIALLY HOPEFULLY WILL GET TO THE FLOOR ONCE WE GET THE SPORTS BETTING BILL SO PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DECISION ON ALLOWING THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA TO MAKE THE VOTE.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, ALLOWING THE LOCALS BEFORE ANYTHING CAN MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION CAN TO VOTE AS WELL.

>> DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE PEOPLE MORE FAVORABLE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THE STATE LOST AND THE RESOURCES THAT IT COULD PROVIDE?

>> IN YOUNGER FOLKS, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, OUR VOTING POPULATION IS THE YOUNGER FOLKS GROWING UP AND BECOMING VOTING AGE.

AND IT IS VERY POPULAR WITH THESE FOLKS.

SOME OF THEM PLAY THE LOTTERY.

BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IT IS THE ENTERTAINMENT ASPECT OF THIS.

AND ONCE THEY REALIZE PEOPLE LIKE THE ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY THEMSELVES WANT TO PUT 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS INTO A FACILITY TO CREATE AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, FOR FAMILIES, THAT DOES INCLUDE GAMING.

SO THAT MIND SET, IF YOU WILL, OF GAMING IS BAD, ESPECIALLY SINCE AT LOT OF THESE STUDENTS WENT 1.6 MILLION OF THESE STUDENTS GOT A HOPE SCHOLARSHIP AND A FREE RIDE TO COLLEGE.

THEIR OPINION HAS CHANGED ESPECIALLY WHENEVER IT HIT THEIR WALLET.

>> I THINKING THAT MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOO.

IF YOU HAD TRIED THIS EARLIER.

EVEN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

BUT NOW WE HAVE VOTERS WHO ARE OLDER WHO HAVE SEEN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IN ACTION, BENEFITTED FROM IT.

AND THINK MAYBE LET'S GO FOR IT.

>> RIGHT.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE STACY EVANS WHO IF YOU RECALL THREE YEARS AGO, THAT WAS A HUGE PART OF HER CAMPAIGN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

SHE BENEFITTED FROM THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP TO GO TO COLLEGE.

AND SHE IS A CO-SIGNER ON THIS SPORTS BETTING BILL.

AND SO, I THINK THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE EITHER PERSONALLY BENEFITTED FROM BEING ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE OF THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

AND THEN ALSO PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, COLLEGE AGED PEOPLE WHO PLAY.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE DOING THE ILLEGAL OFF SHORE SPORTS BETTING RIGHT NOW.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT SUPPORTERS SAY IS HAPPENING IN THE STATES ALREADY.

AND THOSE FOLKS ARE OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE.

>> SPORTS BETTING IN TENNESSEE AND AROUND US, THAT KIND OF THING.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WE'LL KEEP UP WITH THAT AND MAYBE COME BACK AND TELL US ABOUT IT.

>>> SO WE'RE GOING SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET WITH YOU, GEOFF.

WE KNOW THE AMENDED BUDGET IS OVER BUT WE'LL STILL HAVE THE BUDGET STARTING JULY 1st THROUGH NEXT YEAR.

I WANT YOUR INSIGHTS ON THE BUDGET.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO, I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE THINKING A LITTLE BIT THAT WE MIGHT SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPLUS?

>> IT IS REALLY HARD TO TELL.

I WILL ADMIT THAT ESTIMATING REVENUE IS HARD IN ANY YEAR.

AND IT IS EXCRUCIATINGLY HARD LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE A BALL AND A HALF -- WE ARE ON PACE TO BE A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS UP OVER WHAT WE NEED TO ACTUALLY HAVE IN THE AMENDED FY '21 BUDGET.

TERRY ENGLAND, IF YOU TALK TO THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN, HE IS FOND OF SAYING YOU NEED TO MANAGE TO THE RISK.

AND THE RISK THAT THEY SEE IS THAT THERE MAY BE AN UNANTICIPATINGLY LARGE AMOUNT OF INCOME TAX REFUNDS, ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE WHO GOT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WHO IN REALITY WILL HAVE A LOWER INCOME AND WILL GET SOME OF THAT MONEY BACK THAT THEY PAID IN TAXES.

BUT EVERY MONTH THAT GOES BY IS A MONTH THAT THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

NOW, INCOME TAX, THE IRS ONLY STARTED ACCEPTING INCOME TAX RETURNS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

BUT WE ARE PROBABLY ONLY GOING TO GET ONE MORE MONTH OF REVENUE RESULTS FROM THIS YEAR TO SET THE FY '22 BUDGET ON.

BECAUSE WE'RE ON PACE TO GO HOME BEFORE EASTER.

SO THERE IS A RISK.

AND MAYBE "RISK" IS THE WRONG WORD.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LARGE SURPLUS THIS YEAR IN THE RANGE OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE'LL PUSH INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND THAT ALREADY HAS $3 BILLION IN IT.

BUT I THINK MORE IMPORTANT IS THERE WAS ALSO A POSSIBILITY THAT WE WILL HAVE A LOW REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR FY '22.

AND WE COULD COME BACK IN JANUARY OF AN ELECTION YEAR WITH A BIG POT OF MONEY THAT LAWMAKERS COULD GET A CHANCE TO SPEND.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE IS TRYING TO DO THAT.

BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> WELL WE'VE SEEN THE REVENUES HAS COME IN EVERY MONTH.

AND EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

SO I GUESS WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THIS.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE TAX -- DIDN'T A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGH END UP, EVEN IF THEY GOT THEIR -- IF THEY DID RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, THEY DID HAVE THE TAXES TAKEN OUT?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT SHARE PEOPLE HAD THE TAXES TAKEN OUT.

BUT THE MORE PEOPLE THAT HAD THE TAXES TAKEN OUT, THE MORE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT THERE WILL BE A BIG CHUNK OF REFUNDS THAT WE WILL SEE IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WITH THE BOTH OF YOU.

AND I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE STICKING AROUND FOR THAT.

WHEN WE COME BACK WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT MORE HOT BUTTON ISSUES INCLUDING THE CITIZEN'S ARREST LAW AND THE BILL CALLED "SAVE GIRLS SPORTS."

YOU ARE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FORM BUREAU.

OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER 1 INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE FARM BUREAU WORKS TO REPRESENT THOSE ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN -- YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS FIGHT ALL THE WAY.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND, JEFF, WE WANT TO START WITH GIRLS SPORTS LEGISLATION AND IT IS HOUSE BILL WHICH HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF ATTENTION.

>> THE BILL DESIGNED, IT BUILDS ON TITLE 9 AND MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TITLE 9 PROTECTIONS, SPECIFICALLY IN MAKING SURE WE KEEP BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM COMPETING IN GIRLS SPORTS AGAINST BIOLOGICALLY FEMALES.

>> YOU HAD A PERSONAL REASON FOR IN.

>> I DID.

MY WIFE IN -- ATHLETE.

AND -- DAUGHTER.

LOT OF KIDS.

AND I WANT MY DAUGHTER TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMPETE FAIRLY.

HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE A CHAMPION.

>> HOW ABOUT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HAVE COME OUT AGAINST IT?

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WELL SOME OF THEM HAVE.

AND THERE ARE MANY THAT SUPPORT THE BILL.

SO IT IS NOT BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION WHAT I WOULD CALL A UNIFIED OPPOSITION AND SOME OF THAT, YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT SURPRISING, THE NARRATIVE THE ATTEMPT TO TRY TO MAKE IT ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY IS VERY SHORT-SIGHTED AND NOT WHAT THE BILL IS ABOUT.

THE BILL PREVENTS BIOLOGICAL MALES, TRANSGENDER FEMALES ARE A VERY TINY PERCENTAGE OF THAT POPULATION GROUP.

SO THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT NOT ABOUT BIOLOGICAL SEX BUT GENDER IDENTITY WHICH THE BILL DOES NOT SPEAK ABOUT AT ALL.

>> EXPLAIN WHY IT DOESN'T.

>> THE WAY TITLE 9 WAS WRITTEN WAS TO MAKE SURE WOMEN HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS IN AREAS WHERE THEY DIDN'T.

FOR EXAMPLE, BEFORE TITLE 9 ABOUT 1 OUT OF EVERY 76 YOUNG LADIES GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IN SPORTS.

POSTTITLE 9 THAT NUMBER IS CLOSER TO 3 IN 5.

98% OF ALL CEOs, FEMALE CEOS IN THE UNITED STATES PARTICIPATED IN HIGHER LEVELS OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION.

SO SPORTS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG LADIES.

AND IT IS JUST SIMPLY NOT FAIR TO ALLOW BIOLOGICAL MALES TO COMPETE IN SPORTS THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR FEMALES TO PROTECT FEMALES AND COMPETE IN THAT.

IT IS UNFAIR.

>> ALL RIGHT, JEFF.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT HE HAD TO SAY SH.

>> WELL REPRESENTATIVE SINGLETON IS VERY ARTICULATE IN WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS BILL.

BUT THE OPPONENTS PERCEIVE IT AS AIMED AS TRANSGENDER GIRLS.

THERE IS ALWAYS ONE OR TWO ISSUES IN ANY SESSION THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO AROUSE A LOT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES AND SOCIAL LIBERALS AND I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

THERE ARE ALWAYS ONE OR TWO ISSUES THAT LAND LIKE A METEOR FROM OUTER SPACE THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE COMING AND YOU CAN ALREADY SORT OF SEE THE SPARKS HERE.

>> SO WE HAD REPRESENTATIVE MATT WILSON ON THE OTHER DAY WHO IS VEHEMENTLY OF COURSE AGAINST THIS BILL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL HE SAYS ISN'T SIMILAR.

IT IS HOUSE BILL 372.

IT DEFINES GENDER.

TELL US THE DIFFERENCE AND WHAT THAT MIGHT BE ABOUT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SINGLETON'S BILL AT LEAST AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS IS VERY EXPANSIVE.

IT COVERS COLLEGE ATHLETES.

WOULD PROHIBIT BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM PARTICIPATING IN FEMALE SPORTS IF YOU WERE AT A PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN GEORGIA.

I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER KEY DIFFERENCES IN REPRESENTATIVE JASPER'S BILL IS IT SETS UP A COMMITTEE OF THREE DOCTORS AT GHSA WHICH WOULD HEAR APPEALS.

AND IF YOU GOT TURNED DOWN YOU COULD SEE GHSA.

THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION WHICH RUNS ATHLETICS IN THE STATE OFTEN SAYS THEY WANT TO BE OUT OF POLITICS AND I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING LIKE THAT AD WHIED ALL.

>> SINGLETON SAYS THEY SUPPORT HIS BILL.

BUT HAVEN'T HEARD THE OTHER ONE.

>> I'M NOT SURE HOW ENTHUSIASTIC ON THAT BILL.

>> WE'RE GOING SWITCH GEARS AGAIN TO THE TOPIC OF GEORGIA CITIZENS ARREST LAW AHEAD OF THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF AHMAUD ARBERY WHICH IS NEXT TUESDAY.

GOVERNOR -- DETENTION RIGHTS INSTEAD OF ARREST RIGHTS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> YEAH.

SO THE WAY THE LAW IS NOW, IF YOU WITNESS SOMEONE YOU BELIEVE IS COMMITTING A CRIME, YOU CAN TECHNICALLY CITIZENS ARREST THEM.

AND THE ARGUMENT FROM OPPONENTS OF THIS LAW IS THAT OFTEN TIMES IT IS USED TO TARGET BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.

BASED ON, YOU KNOW, BIASES THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST CARRY AROUND WITH THEM.

AND SO WHAT GOVERNOR KEMP IS TRYING TO DO IS MAKE IT SO THAT NOT JUST ANY GEORGIAN CAN, YOU KNOW, ARREST OR DETAIN SOMEONE THEY BELIEVE IS COMMITTED A CRIME.

IT IS PAIRING IT BACK TO ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE.

SO IT IS SHOPKEEPERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS.

AND TRUCK WEIGH STATION INSPECTORS CAN DETAIN SOMEONE FOR, YOU KNOW, AND CALL POLICE, FOR AN HOUR.

THEY CAN DETAIN THEM FOR AN HOUR AND IF POLICE DON'T ARRIVE WITHIN AN HOUR THEY CAN RELEASE THAT PERSON.

>> LOTS OF SUPPORT, BIPARTISAN.

>> YEAH.

>> AND FROM OTHER GROUPS.

NAACP, THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING AHMAUD ARBERY'S MOM IS SUPPORTING THIS.

LOOKS GOOD ON ALL FRONTS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

>> THE COLLECTION OF LAWMAKERS BEHIND GOVERNOR KEMP AS HE MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE OTHER DAY WAS VAST.

ON OTHER ISSUES YOU SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE POLAR OPPOSITES ON ISSUES, AND THEY WERE ALL BACKING UP GOVERNOR KEMP AND HIS DESIRE TO OVERHAUL THE WAY CITIZENS ARREST WORKS IN GEORGIA.

>> YEAH.

LIKE HATE CRIMES LAST YEAR.

ALL OF THE SUPPORT COMING TOGETHER.

WANT TO TALK ABOUT COUPLE OF OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS.

ONE IS SENATE BILL 171, PENALTIES FOR PROTESTERS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS IS A BILL BY SENATOR RANDY ROBERTSON.

PART OF THIS BILL IS TO COMBAT DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

BUT REALLY THE PARTS THAT ARE MORE INTERESTING AND KIND OF OUT THERE ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING PENALTIES FOR PROTESTING.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF MAYA WAS GIVING A SPEECH IN THE PARK AND YOU AND I WENT THERE TO HECKLE HER, WE WOULD BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.

AND IF CONVICTED WE WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE HIRED BY ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE ARE YOU HEARING ON THIS ONE?

>> THERE IS SOME REAL QUESTIONS, I THINK, ABOUT THE ABILITY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO REGULATE SPEECH ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.

LIKE IN A PARK OR A CITY AUDITORIUM OR CONVENTION CENTER.

THERE IS SOME OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BILL.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A WOMAN THIS SUMMER WHO WAS ARRESTED FOR CHALKING SOMETHING ON THE STATUE OF JOHN BROWN GORDON AT THE CAPITOL.

AND SHE -- IF THIS WILL WAS ENACTED INTO LAW AND SHE WAS ARRESTED SHE WOULD BE GUILTY OF A FELONY AND SENTENCED TO AT LEAST ONE YEAR IN STATE PRISON.

I DON'T THINK THE BILL IS GOING TO FLY AS WRITTEN.

I THINK IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

BUT IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF HOW SOME PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT LAST SUMMER'S RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS.

>> ONE OTHER THING THAT CAME OUT OF THAT.

AND THAT IS HOUSE BILL 286 DEALS WITH THAT.

RESTRICTING CUTTING OFF MONEY TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SENATOR ROBERTSON'S BILL SAYS YOU CAN'T CUT FUNDING TO LOCAL POLICE BY MORE THAN 30%.

BUT HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE THIS WEEK -- YOU CAN'T CUT FUNDING YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT BY MORE THAN 5% IN A YEAR IF YOU ARE A CITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

UNLESS YOU MEET CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS LIKE IF YOUR OVERALL REVENUE DECLINED BY MORE THAN 5% A YEAR.

>> AND THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE GREEN COUNTY HAD AN ISSUE.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME BUT BRIEFLY, THEY HAD A SITUATION WHERE THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HAD THE -- >> RIGHT SOME ISSUES ABOUT CITIES AND COUNTIES, CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT GIVE UP THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE GAINES SAYS AS LONG AS YOU GUARANTEE EQUIVALENT PROTECTION YOU COULD GIVE UP YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL I'M SORRY, WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW -- YOU HAVE BROUGHT BACK THE FACT THAT YOU -- YOU PICKED THE BEST DRESSED LAWMAKERS.

SO FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER FOR MORE ON THAT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS OFF TOMORROW.

WE'LL RETURN ON MONDAY FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 20.

GOOD NIGHT.